nuke

Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

JCP calls for halt to reprocessing plant operation

The Japanese Communist Party Dietmembers group on July 5 announced its urgent call for a halt to the operation of the nuclear reprocessing plant at Rokkasho Village in Aomori Prefecture.

The announcement was made at a press conference at the Aomori prefectural government building by a JCP on-site investigation team consisting of Lower House members Yoshii Hidekatsu, Shiokawa Tetsuya, and Takahashi Chizuko, and Upper House member Kami Tomoko.

The team pointed out that since the Rokkasho plant began its operation three months ago, residents of Aomori and Iwate, the prefecture located south of Aomori, have expressed anger at and anxiety about the repeated accidents such as leaks of solutions and workers' exposure to radiation.

The JCP members stated that in response to residents' concerns, the JCP will demand that the government, power companies, and the Japan Nuclear Fuel Ltd. (JNFL) halt operations, conduct a full-scale investigation into the accidents, strengthen safety measures, and conduct environmental investigations.

Prior to the press conference, the investigation team visited the nuclear reprocessing plant. They found out that the operation of the analysis laboratory building, one of the important facilities of the plant, is contracted out to a subcontractor.

Workers who were exposed to radiation in the building in May and June were found to be employees of the subcontractor.

The JCP team requested permission to carry out an on-site investigation at the analysis laboratory building, but the JNFL rejected the request. Yoshii criticized the company's response by saying, "Only public scrutiny guarantees safety."
- Akahata, July 6, 2006